The history of India would have been different
had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy Prime Minister when India became independent
in 1947. The triumvirate- Gandhiji, Nehru and Sardar Patel were responsible
for giving direction to the destiny of the country. Sardar Patel consolidated
the country into one united whole in a unique manner.

Formative Years

Born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad, in the Kaira
district of Gujarat, Vallabh Bhai Patel was the son of Zaverbhai Galabhai
Patel , a Leva Patidar. This class of cultivators was known for their simple
character, industrious habits and straightforward dealings. Vallabh Bhai
possessed an ingenous mind as a school boy. He was a rebel whose exceptional
organisational abilities were recognised by his schoolmates and teachers.
Patel passed the matriculation examination from the Nadiad High School
in 1897.

Patel had two ambitions to fulfil , first to become
a pleader and later a barrister. During those days a matriculate could
become a lawyer by taking the pleaders examination. He became a pleader
in 1900, and started practising in Godhra. In 1902 he shifted to Balsad,
a taluka headquarter, where he practised as a criminal lawyer for nearly
eight years, during which period he had built a name for himself as a most
successful criminal lawyer. In 1910, he left for London and joined the
Middle Temple, where he took an examination in Roman Law and stood first.
He returned to India in 1913 and started practising as a barrister in Ahmedabad
, fulfilling his second ambition.

Gandhiji's Disciple

The impact of Gandhiji's personality on Vallabhbhai
was tremendous. It gave him a new mission in life. The Champaran struggle
waged by Gandhiji had a sweeping effect on Patel's mind. In Gandhiji's
Champaran victory Patel saw the beginning of a new agrarian revolution.
His interest in politics had been kindled, as became abunduntly clear in
the Provincial Political Conference organised by the Gujarat Sabha and
presided by Gandhiji at Godhara. The conference appointed a permanent committee
with Gandhiji as the President and Patel as one of the secretaries. He
became a staunch follower of Gandhiji. From then on there was no looking
back. Blessed with rare qualities of fortitude, integrity and an iron determination,
Patel played an important role in the freedom movement.

Indomitable Personality

It was due to his sterling leadership and practical
vision that the peasant movement in Gujarat became a success. It was in
this struggle that the organisational capacity for which Sardar Patel was
famous in the whole country became visible. He took over as the nascent
nation's Home Minister at a very crucial juncture in history and devoted
himself whole heartedly to ensure that the country which was already partitioned,
remained intact and united.

Building a Union

On the eve of their departure, the British government
announced that its paramountcy would lapse not only over the British territory
but even over the native States . This meant that as many as 625 small
and big native States would become independent like India and Pakistan.
Consequently, the country would be divided into a number of small and big
units.

Before embarking on this mammoth task, Sardar sought
to ensure the stability of administration by forging a bridge of faith
and confidence with the"Steel Frame". Most of the I.C.S. officers suspected
that the Congress leaders, particularly Sardar in view of his past experiences
with them, would have no faith in the I.C.S. But Sardar rose to the occasion
and reposed total trust in their capability to serve the nation. He was,
thus, able to win their unstinted support in the endeavour of nation building.

Attempts were afoot for finalising the standstill
agreement with the States. It provided that the Central Government will
be vested with powers of defence, foreign policy and communications even
over the States. Travancore, Hyderabad and some other States declared themselves
sovereign States and created hurdles in the agreement. On the other end,
Jinnah with a view to tempt Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other border States
made them an unconditional offer to align with Pakistan on their terms.

Political Sagacity

To find an amicable solution to this complicated
situation, Sardar issued a statement to the princes wherein he appealed
to their sense of patriotism and reiterated that the new States department
in no way, desire to have supremacy over them. "If at all, any sense of
supremacy is required, it would be with common understanding and for common
good. We are at a momentous stage in the history of India. By common endeavour,
we can raise the country to new greatness, while lack of unity will expose
us to unexpected calamities. I hope the Indian States will realise fully
that if we do not cooperate and work together in the general interest,
anarchy and chaos will overwhelm us all great and small, and lead us to
total ruin". The statement which amply reflected his statesmanship and
political sagacity, removed whatever doubts lurked in the minds of the
princes.

There was a popular agitation in Travancore and the
State acceded to India. The Nawab of Bhopal could not take all this but
when he realised that there was no alternative, he sent the instrument
of accession duly signed to Sardar.

A man of iron will and absolute fearlessness, Sardar
Patel tackled the question of 550 and odd State territories and principalities
in such a strategic manner which left even his wildest critics in complete
amazement. Almost within a year he redrew the map of India with every princely
State joining the Indian union and thus, forming part of the political
stream of life that was endowed with cultural unity and harmony.

Intricate Situation

The intricacy of the situation can perhaps be gauged
by the fact that there were 26 small States in Orissa and 15 in the Chattisgarh
area of present Madhya Pradesh. It required skilful diplomacy on the part
of Sardar Patel to persuade them to merge into bigger, more viable units.
Even more ticklish was the case of Saurashtra where there were 14 big States,
119 small States and other units under different administrations totalling
860.

The herculean task of merging all of them into the
Saurashtra union was also accomplished by Sardar Patel. Soon, State after
State started acceding to the Indian Union. One after the other, Gwalior,
Indore, Dhar, Dewas all accepted the advice of Sardar. Rajputana States
followed the same. The Sikhs of Punjab also cooperated with the merger.

Even by August 15, Hyderabad kept aloof. Hence, Lord
Mountbatten himself started negotiations. At one stage, it appeared that
there was a settlement but Nizam found himself helpless against the pressures
of Razakars. The Razakars started harassing the local public. Thus, when
the situation went out of control, Sardar with the consent of the Governor
General initiated police action. In 108 hours, the Nizam surrendered and
Hyderabad acceded and merged with India. The Nawab of Junagadh accepted
an accession with Pakistan. Sardar solved this complex problem in his own
inimitable way and the Nawab and his Diwan left Junagadh for Pakistan.

Thus, the 'Yagna' for establishment of a united India
undertaken by Sardar was completed with the merger of Hyderabad. Politically,
India became one and united. In the history of India stretched over ages,
India became one and united for the first time and that too without shedding
a drop of blood. That was the marvel of the personality of Sardar. The
sterling qualities of leadership he had shown as leader of Satyagraha,
flowered in greater way in the administration of the country, maintenance
of law and order and ensuring stability of the country and making it invulnerable.

* 123rd Birth Anniversary of
Sardar Patel is being observed on October 31, 1998